A Whirl of Parties, a Flood of Stories
The holidays are glamorous in tinsel and glitter, but also awash in tales of woe. Probably the biggest devastation of a Christmas fete was the Huntington Library’s much anticipated Society of Fellows Christmas Party. Those high winds that swirled through San Marino knocking oaks into roofs and closing off streets also tore to shreds the tent that Regal Rents had erected for the Huntington’s black-tie party. Regal Rents took the loss. Marion Jorgensen, party chairman, and the Huntington powers canceled the party, calling about 600 people the day before.
THE FUNNIEST TALE: This one happened some years ago, but it was widely repeated this year. Seems Maggie Jagels was having trouble with her car and, determined to make an important holiday cocktail party, she called telephone information and told them she simply couldn’t miss this party, she desperately needed help and would they please put her in contact with “what is it--those ‘A’ people.”
She was connected, explained to the ‘A’s that she had a terrible dilemma. “Oh, yes, yes; we understand your dilemma; you shouldn’t drive; we’ll send someone right over to counsel you.”
Said Maggie: “I don’t want counseling; I want to get to this cocktail party.” Well, she was speaking with AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), not AAA (the Automobile Club).
AND ANOTHER: This married couple, each widowed at least once, decided to combine their families for a joyous early December gathering. Her children and grandchildren, his children and grandchildren, and extraneous relations. Three youngsters spilled cups of eggnog on the plush carpeting; one child put a toy down the toilet, and it overflowed; the next morning, the plumber announced he couldn’t remove the toy; they’d have to buy a new toilet.
Then a member of the family overimbibed. The result was a family squabble over who’d drive home. He insisted, backed out the driveway, destroying seven sprinkler heads, then, in a fit of rage, accidently pulled the steering wheel from his car. “Never again,” the hostess said.
HO! HO! HO!--The whole Bruce Meyer family--Bruce, Raylene, Eric, Evan, Emily and Stella--was laughing all the way in the picture inside their Christmas card. Stella, their white shaggy dog, got the cover position, sporting reindeer antlers, dark glasses, a red nose, a bandana with red stars around her neck and a smile on her face . . .
Also setting Christmas card distinction: Harley Williamson, the spotted Great Dane. He was painted with a red santa hat and bells jingling at his neck by Lisa Williamson on a card distributed to select friends by Spud and Alyce Williamson.
GLORIOUS HOLIDAYS: The review of holiday gatherings brings happy thoughts as well as the obligation of thank-you notes.
One of the most memorable events was Lynn and Hugh Evans’ 30th wedding anniversary at the Regency Club, a surprise dinner dance planned by their children--Lockie Russell and her husband Jeffrey, Hugh Evans III, Erin Evans and Elizabeth Cameron and her husband Matt.
When the Evanses arrived with Martha and Glen Mitchel, the cheers rang out from a crowd including their best man, Tom Lockie (Lynn’s brother), her parents, Howard and Babe Lockie, and friends such as Germaine and Al Dietsch who flew in from Aspen.
Just minutes before the party, Hugh III completed his slide show with a raucous selection of photos that spanned fun times at Lake Arrowhead, skiing, bicycling in Europe. In a magnificent toast, young Hugh also saluted his parents: “Our mother is our leader--our father is our strength.” Then everyone tripped the light fantastic until the wee hours.
A few nights later, the Evanses were honoring the board of directors of Western Federal Savings at a dinner party at their Santa Monica home.
THE PARTIES: Neil and Tina Diver brought in pianist Paul Switzler and opera singer Earle Patriarco to lead the caroling for their Christmas open house. Among more than 120 gathered were Carol and Jim Large, Cheryl and Bud Wegge and their daughter Kelsey, Bill and Carolyn Carter, Susan and Bruce Seidel and their Amy and Cap, also Jane and Kris Popovich and their Kimberly, Tricia and Jennifer . . .
Linda and Don Pennell and sons Jonathan and Christopher pitched a pretty white tent and lights in West Los Angeles . . .
The Bel-Air Bay Club was festive, decked with holly and song for the cocktail buffet given by Carol and Jim Collins. . .
Bob and Carolyn Volk set the big wassail bowl on the dining room table, which was also decked with pastries and yummies she had spent hours making for their Boxing Day party.
Sons Chris, Andrew and Alex took turns greeting guests at the front door, among the early ones Mary Lou and George Boone and Linda and Blaine Fetter.
FROM AFAR: Debby and Bill Appler are in town from Washington, house-guesting with Elayne and Tom Techentin. They’ll celebrate the New Year with a party for chums Jan. 4 at the Valley Hunt Club . . .
Ceil Moore took her granddaughter Christy Klein of Dallas to Rome for Christmas and Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s. They’ll spend New Year’s in Paris.